Artificial intelligence in Public Health: opportunities, ethical challenges and future perspectives

e202503017

Authors

  • Sergio Castaño Castaño Departamento de Psicología; Universidad de Oviedo. Oviedo. España. / Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA). Oviedo. España. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4571-769X

Keywords:

Inteligencia Artificial, Salud Pública, ética en IA, vigilancia epidemiológica, modelos predictivos, privacidad de datos, transparencia algorítmica, desigualdades en salud, capacitación profesional, innovación tecnológica

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming Public Health by providing innovative tools to address complex global challenges. Its ability to analyze large volumes of data in real time enhances epidemiological surveillance, optimizes healthcare resource management, and personalizes preventive interventions. These applications have proven valuable in situations such as pandemics, where AI algorithms have contributed to outbreak prediction, efficient resource allocation, and the design of targeted strategies.

However, the adoption of AI also raises significant ethical and regulatory challenges. Issues such as data privacy, algorithmic transparency, and biases in models highlight the need for robust regulatory frameworks to ensure its ethical and equitable use. Furthermore, the lack of training among Public Health professionals and the digital literacy of communities limit the potential impact of these technologies.

This article examines the practical applications, ethical challenges, and strategies needed for the responsible adoption of AI in Public Health. It emphasizes the importance of training, interdisciplinary collaboration, and continuous research to ensure that AI becomes a transformative tool contributing to global well-being. If implemented ethically and sustainably, AI can play a crucial role in promoting equity and quality in Public Health systems.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

He J, Baxter SL, Xu J, Xu J, Zhou X, Zhang K, Wong ST. The practical implementation of artificial intelligence technologies in medicine. Nat Med. 2019;25:30-36. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-018-0307-0

Vitorino LM, Júnior GHY. Artificial intelligence in epidemic management: Transforming public health in Brazil and beyond. HSJ. 2024. Recuperado de: https://portalrcs.hcitajuba.org.br/index.php/rcsfmit_zero/article/download/1579/952

Topol EJ. High-performance medicine: the convergence of human and artificial intelligence. Nat Med. 2019;25:44-56. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-018-0300-7

Beam AL, Kohane IS. Big Data and Machine Learning in Health Care. JAMA. 2018;319(13):1317-1318. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.18391

Jiang F, Jiang Y, Zhi H, Dong Y, Li H, Ma S, Wang Y, Dong Q, Shen H, Wang Y. Artificial intelligence in healthcare: Past, present, and future. Stroke Vasc Neurol. 2017;2(4):230-243. https://doi.org/10.1136/svn-2017-000101

Price WN, Cohen IG. Privacy in the age of artificial intelligence. Science. 2019;363(6422):1-4. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-018-0272-7

Char DS, Shah NH, Magnus D. Implementing machine learning in health care-Addressing ethical challenges. N Engl J Med. 2018;378(11):981-983. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMp1714229

Mittermaier M, Raza MM, Kvedar JC. Bias in AI-based models for medical applications: challenges and mitigation strategies. npj Digit. Med.2023; 6, 113. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-023-00858-z

Buolamwini J, Gebru T. Gender Shades: Intersectional Accuracy Disparities in Commercial Gender Classification. Proceedings of Machine Learning Research. 2018;81:77-91. Disponible en: https://proceedings.mlr.press/v81/buolamwini18a.html

O’Neill O, Costello F. Systematic Bias in Sample Inference and its Effect on Machine Learning. arXiv preprint. 2023. https://arxiv.org/abs/2307.01384

Sengupta K, Srivastava PR. Causal effect of racial bias in data and machine learning algorithms on user persuasiveness & discriminatory decision making: An Empirical Study. arXiv preprint. 2022. https://arxiv.org/abs/2202.00471

Gándara D, Anahideh H, Ison MP, Tayal A. Inside the Black Box: Detecting and Mitigating Algorithmic Bias across Racialized Groups in College Student-Success Prediction. arXiv preprint. 2023. https://arxiv.org/abs/2301.03784

Floridi L, Cowls J, Beltrametti M, Chatila R, Chazerand P, Dignum V, Luetge C, Madelin R, Pagallo U, Rossi F, Schafer B, Valcke P, Vayena E. AI governance: The need for regulation and accountability. Science. 2020;361(6404):759-760. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aap9551

Al Kuwaiti A, Nazer K, Al-Reedy A et al. A Review of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare. J Pers Med. 2023;13(6):951. Publicado 5 jun 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm13060951

Dankwa-Mullan I. Health equity and ethical considerations in using artificial intelligence in public health and medicine. Prev Chronic Dis. 2024;21:240245. https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd21.240245

Comisión Europea. Directrices éticas para una IA fiable. Luxemburgo: Oficina de Publicaciones de la Unión Europea; 2019. https://doi.org/10.2759/346720

Published

2025-03-26

How to Cite

1.
Castaño Castaño S. Artificial intelligence in Public Health: opportunities, ethical challenges and future perspectives: e202503017. Rev Esp Salud Pública [Internet]. 2025 Mar. 26 [cited 2026 Apr. 14];99(1):12 páginas. Available from: https://ojs.sanidad.gob.es/index.php/resp/article/view/1006